[[Croakamancy]] is one of the three disciplines of the [[Magic]] class [[Naughtymancy]]; it is aligned with the axis of [[Fate]] and composed of the two [[Magic_Elements|element]]s of [[Motion]] and [[Matter]]. {{erf|1|038a|Parson's Klog #2}}

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[[Croakamancy]] is one of the three disciplines of the [[Magic]] class [[Naughtymancy]]; it is aligned with the axis of [[Fate]] and composed of the two [[Magic_Elements|element]]s of [[Motion]] and [[Matter]]. {{erf|1|038a|Parson's Klog #2}} It is one of the most heavily disliked disciplines in Erfworld, perhaps second only to [[Carnymancy]] in the amount of vitriol aimed at its casters.

Contents

Canon

Proposed Canon

Croakamancy is one of the three disciplines of the Magic class Naughtymancy; it is aligned with the axis of Fate and composed of the two elements of Motion and Matter. Erf-b1-p038a It is one of the most heavily disliked disciplines in Erfworld, perhaps second only to Carnymancy in the amount of vitriol aimed at its casters.

Abilities

Croakamancers have a natural ability to sense life in other units, as demonstrated by Wanda in Book 0. They have a much stronger sense over dead bodies, to the extent that Wanda can give the precise number of each type of dead unit in a hex.

Limitations

Croakamancy has significant limits. Uncroaked units decay over several turns before they rot down and disintegrate. They also lose a lot of their higher brain functions: Casters lose their magical abilities, warlords lose a great deal of their initiative and command skill, and regular units lose pretty much all trace of their identity. However, most specials are maintained: An uncroaked warlord can still lead degree, and uncroaked flying units can still fly.

The amount of time and attention a Croakamancer invests in uncroaking a unit has a significant effect - a mass of units uncroaked in a hurry will only last a few turns, but an individual or small group carefully revived can last a very long time indeed.

Speculation

It is likely that constructed units, such as golems, cannot be uncroaked.

It seems that uncroaked units cannot be chief warlords (judging from the need for a new Gobwin Knob warlord in Book 1). Another possibility is that their leadership bonus decays so quickly that it's not worth using them).

Decryptamancy

With the Arkenpliers, Wanda is able to Decrypt units - to bring back the dead with all their abilities and most of their memories intact, but loyal to the caster and her side. Many casters believe this takes Croakamancy into the realm of Life magic, which is normally its antithesis. Many casters find this to be unnatural, and thus, wrong.